CONTENTS of the print edition
Model Auto Review 206
Publication 7 October 200604 Ford Mustang 65 Dave Turner, England 08 Cars the movie Don Elliott, USA 10: Bitburger Phil Campbell, Germany 12 Goldvarg Bob Frassinetti, Argentina 14 Correspondence 16 Monogram Story Rod Ward, England 19 Revell 50th Hans-Georg Schmitt, Germany 20 Standard Eight Maz Woolley, England 21 News: Britain 22 Austin 3 litre John F Quilter, USA 23 Edsel Graeme Ogg, England 24 Light Brigade Graeme Watt, Scotland 26 News: Britain, captions to page 28 27 News: Cars, captions to page 29 30 News: Cars, captions to page 32 31 News: Cars, captions to page 33 34 News: Cutouts, captions to page 33 35 News: World, captions to page 33 38 1:76 Rover, 1:87 Stag Maz Woolley 39 Eko Maz Woolley, England 40 Avia Mini DH88 Comet, Miles Messenger 42 Avia Mini Herpa • Little Ships 43 Competitions 44 Book Reviews 45 Club News Rod Ward 47 Norev Borgwards Hans-Georg Schmitt, Germany 56 The Other Old Softies: Part One Don Elliott, USA 58 News: World, captions to page 60: Emergency 59 News: World, Captions to page 61: Buses, taxis, emergency etcModel Auto Review 206 • EDITORIAL • by Rod Ward
MAGAZINES STRUGGLING
At a time when all magazines are struggling to maintain their circulations (and no market is more difficult than model magazines), it is interesting to see the figures at which mass-market news-stand titles are regarded as uneconomic. A UK weekly teen magazine which used to sell 100,000 copies has been axed because sales fell to ‘only’ 74,000 copies. This decision is blamed on teenagers surfing the Internet instead of reading magazines. I also hear complaints from smaller magazine publishers (though not as small as MAR of course) that they have had to pull out of big news chains because of demands for up-front payment of thousands of pounds to ‘rent’ display space, in addition to high profit margins and ‘sale or return’ terms required as well.HINTS AND RUMOURS
A diecast manufacturer reports that the usual ‘cycle of collector interest’, in which activity falls away in the spring and summer months has been more pronounced in 2006, with very low order levels mid-year. He is ‘encouraged’ to see interest reviving as the year progresses.On the other hand, another diecast firm, also British-based, has not experienced any such fall in interest, consistently selling out of new releases as soon as they are announced.
A third British range has had to move work to a different sub- contractor in China, resulting in disruption to their release programme, so it is harder to tell if demand is holding up.
Expect to see a totally new 1:76 scale diecast range of Circus vehicles released in 2007; cages, caravans, trucks etc...
We also hear that there will at last be 1:43 diecast models of the Morris J2 and Austin Omnivan on the market soon...
HOW DO THEY DO IT?
A reader sent me a leaflet, offering to send him a diecast model ‘Completely Free’. ‘How do they do it?’ he asks. Well, there is a postage and packing charge of £3.95 on the model, so I sought advice from a regular operator of such offers on the UK market to see how the charge breaks down. First, there is the VAT factor. If you order a book in the UK, the mail order charge incurs zero VAT, but if you buy a model, there is VAT within the model price and also (though this is not widely understood) in the p&p for any positive rated item as well, which would be 59p out of the £3.95. But this model is ‘free’, so no postal VAT has to be paid to the Government. On the models in question my source estimates that the cost of postage (assuming a large enough volume to get a bulk postal rate), standard packaging and promotion, plus other business overheads, should not cost more than about £1.50 to £2.00 per item. That leaves around £2.00 to £2.50 to cover production and delivery from China. If the firm is efficient, they may be paying as little as £1.00 each for the models, leaving a reasonable margin on every one redeemed. And if you send for more models at full price, they make a bigger profit...YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS ARE WANTED
A number of new Auto Review titles are currently in preparation, and we invite readers to contribute illustrations to them. You will get a free copy of the little book, once published, if your picture is used. These may be photographic prints, negatives, slides, colour or black and white, of which you own the copyright, or they may be old advertisements, press photographs or sales brochures which are copyright-free. The subjects of the books include trailer caravans (see above), touring and holiday coaches, the (BMC) Mini, the Supermarine Spitfire and British three wheeler cars. If you can offer illustrations which show unusual, amusing or evocative aspects of these subjects, not just the usual posed publicity shots, please contact the Editor.The Story of Monogram
By Rod Ward Reviewing ‘Monogram Models’ by Thomas GrahamIn the aviation-mad inter-war years, hobby shops and mail order businesses tried to meet demand from your enthusiasts for flying models by buying in balsa wood and tissue kits made by a myriad of small firms, one of which was Comet, based in Chicago, an area which ultimately became a major centre for model companies. This company had no shortage of job applicants among young local model builders, among whom were Bob Reder and Jack Besser. They witnessed the transition from flying models to the demand for 1:72 static recognition models for the government during the Second World War.
These were hand- crafted by US schoolchildren, who made over half a million of them. Comet then switched to designing models for injection-moulded plastic production of ID models.
After the war, Comet’s owners could not agree about their way forward, and in this atmosphere of uncertainty about their future, Besser and Reder decided to set up their own firm, making simpler balsa kits, with parts already die cut for a new generation of kids who couldn’t be bothered to shape and sand a plain block of wood. They decided to start with ships, which had a large following after the wartime exploits of the US Navy.
Reder’s wife came up with the Monogram name, and in 1945 they were on their way, with two employees. The story is told in exemplary detail in Thomas Graham’s new book Monogram Models. Their initial range consisted of three balsa ship models at $1.00 each. The first Monogram car kit was the Hot Shot jet car kit in 1948, powered by a CO2 cartridge. This was an instant hit, followed by Terra Jet, Mono Jet and Mid Jet. Next came a range of flying control line aircraft, Whirlwind, Piper Cub and Aeronca, and the Aqua Jet speedboat. New products like the rubber powered flying aircraft Pirate and Prowler increased demand so much that Monogram had to move to a bigger factory in 1948. The extra space allowed production of the new Speedee-Bilt flying aircraft range in 1949, initially slow-selling civilian aircraft. The range really took off with warplanes used in the ongoing Korean War, and this interest transferred to the new Superkit range of static balsa and plastic kits in 1951.
Monogram started the 1950s with 50 staff, and ended the decade with 300, thanks to the introduction of plastic kits. Other firms, notably Revell and Aurora, committed themselves to the new material, but Monogram persisted with wooden components, then in 1954 brought out their first all-plastic kit, the Midget Racer, followed by the Hot Rod and Racing Speedboat. 1955 saw the spectacular Cadillac Convertible and Coupe de Ville kits, with chrome parts in the acetate Four Star Plastikit. The Kurtis Kraft Indy car was added in 1956, but then no more cars were added until 1959 as efforts transferred to aircraft, starting with the Invader, Mitchell, Catalina, DC-3 and B-66. Notable releases over the next years included the Ford Tri- Motor, Lockheed Super G Constellation, T-38, Gulfhawk, Cessna 180 and Piper Tri-Pacer, but Monogram still trailed in third place behind Revell and Aurora. 1:48 became Monogram’s standard aircraft scale, a move forward from the industry’s ‘made to fit the box’ ideas, though bigger than the European standard 1:72 scale. A memorable late fifties model was the 1:32 Phantom Mustang, in transparent plastic.
1:35 scale military vehicles were added to the range in 1957, but were slow sellers. An extensive range of ‘Missile Arsenal’ models reflected the space age, but were also poor sellers, using up investment which could have been directed towards car kits. At the time, AMT were making waves with their beautifully simple 1:25 car kits, so Monogram re-entered the car market with a range of dragsters. 1960’s release of the Ford A 1930, which had four build options, including a hot rod, set new standards. AMT and Revell used 1:25 scale, but Monogram chose to make their cars in 1:24 scale, a decision regretted later. Another notable landmark was the 1:8 scale Chevrolet V8 engine. Less effective was a range of kits of African animals, intended to appeal to girls, who were, however, not interested. Every new model was supplied to stockists in built form in a diorama display, amazing to consider today. 30 ladies built and packed 5,000 of each new release, to be sent out to stores; 50,000 to 60,000 units every year!
Constant expansion of the range, a large new factory at Morton Grove and more employees were the order of the day in the early sixties. The main activity in the automotive field was in hot rods and surfing cars, followed by the burgeoning subject of custom cars. The flagship of the latter series was the ‘Big T’, a 1:8 scale Ford T bucket to take the aforementioned V8 engine. Each of the main plastic kit makers had a custom car luminary on side. Revell had Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth and AMT had George Barris, so in 1962 Jack Besser invited the exotically named Darryl Starbird of Kansas to design kits for Monogram. This led to a successful series of kits, and to Starbird building a full-size version of the ‘Big T’, reversing the usual process. So, though it was originally an in-house Monogram design, it was attributed to Starbird for publicity purposes. In 1971 Monogram sold the car to Tom Daniel, who sold it to a friend, and it subsequently disappeared. 250,000 Big Ts were sold in the first year, so three more large scale kits were added to capitalise on its success. The 1:8 Big Deuce was described as ‘Monogram’s finest kit’, with battery powered lights, opening doors and steering, but it cost a stiff $14.98 and sales were sluggish. The range was wide, however, and overall sales booming. My copy, right, of the 1964 Monogram (New York World’s Fair) catalogue includes 100 kits. Starbird then began a range of futuristic car designs with his Predicta, and a classic car series started with a Duesenberg SJ and a Mercedes 540K. Their competitor Hawk released a series of Weird-Oh kits of monsters driving hot rods, so Monogram had to follow suit, with the short- lived Happy Monster series: Super Fuzz, Flip Out and Speed Shift.
Then Tom Daniel came on to the scene, with his wild and wacky designs, such as the S’Cool Bus, and Red Baron hot rod with a German spiked helmet on top, leading to an extensive range over succeeding years. Other car kit releases continued with a mix of classic cars, racing cars and drag racers, while aircraft ploughed the reliable furrow of warplanes of the Second World War. This was the Vietnam war era, however, so aircraft were issued in Vietnam related versions, such as Douglas
AC-47 Puff the Magic Dragon and a Phantom Huey chopper. Vietnam also led to new ship models, a Swift boat and Command junk. The Lunar Landing Vehicle also reflected current events in 1969. The same year, in response to the popularity of Japanese afv kits, Monogram made a range of German tanks. Still fascinated by 1:8 scale, Monogram then issued a Jaguar XKE and a Corvette Stingray. They finally bowed to popularity of 1:72 aircraft, with US fighters of the 1930s and the Second World War. Monogram was purchased by Mattel in October 1968. They sacked the experienced Monogram sales force and lumped the scale model kit firm in with their Hot Wheels division, expecting their toy sales staff to market the products.
The toy salesmen, however, did not understand the kits and did not push them when visiting stores. Besser and Reder were still supposedly in charge, but in fact they had to take orders from Mattel in California. Development of ‘serious’ scale models virtually ceased in favour of simple kits aimed at the wider toy market, such as Snoopy products. Mattel tried to add ‘play value’ to the Monogram kits, which always happens when toy folk control scale model companies, and always with the same disastrous results. Only one new aircraft kit, the F-14A Tomcat, was introduced up to 1972, and that was a disappointingly simplified product, as were all the cars from that period. Finally in 1973 Mattel CEO Ruth Handler admitted they had got it wrong, and asked Besser and Reder to rebuild their sales force with new products. They included the F-82 Twin Mustang, Stuka (from which Mattel ordered the swastika be removed from the box art) and B-17G. Monogram introduced Snap-Tite kits in 1971, aiming to bring young modellers into the hobby, and this remained a successful product line for many years, peaking with the 1984 Corvette. After years as craft-based ‘mom and pop’ firms, plastic kit companies all fell into the hands of conglomerates, Aurora to Nabisco and Revell to a French owner, their founders all being sacked by the new owners. So it was that after accounting irregularities were found at Mattel a new CEO, Arthur Spear, was appointed, and in 1975 he sacked Jack Besser, replacing him with Thomas A Gannon from AMT, who ‘had never built a plastic kit in his life’. He was a good businessman, however, who saw the sense in retaining Reder and his development staff, and set out to improve Monogram’s market position from fourth (after Revell, AMT and MPC) in 1978, with a programme of 50 new releases per year.
In 1966 to 1975 Monogram issued an average of 16 new kits per year, plus 11 reissues. This could not be achieved in the USA, where mould making was a virtually lost art, so all such work moved to the Far East. A massive new packing plant was opened at Des Plaines, six miles from Morton Grove, with standard packaging so ruthlessly enforced that Tom Daniel was upset to find that they cut off the nose of the S’Cool Bus to fit into the box. Some short-lived products were adopted from other firms, including Union’s motorcycles and a radio controlled tank. A major advance was the addition of modern cars to the range; Porsches, Capris and Jeeps. More 1:48 aircraft included the B-24, B-25H, B-26 and Razorback P-47, then a move to go beyond the Second World War resulted in Korean War period MiGs, Sabres and an F-80. By the 1970s, 70% of kit sales were in big retail chains such as Toys R Us and K-Mart, and there was a battle for shelf space between the kit companies. So, when Nabisco offered the component parts of Aurora for sale in 1977, Gannon decided to eliminate a competitor by buying the entire Aurora kit tooling. Many already worn out moulds were damaged further when the train bringing the tools from West Hempstead to Morton Grove derailed, and most of the moulds were scrapped. Though generally considered to be inferior to Monogram kits, about 36 Aurora products survived to be incorporated into the Monogram line, but most of them didn’t last long, apart from Aurora’s modern warships, dinosaurs and monsters. Monogram was now number two in the US market, and celebrated by releasing a 1:8 scale 1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette, thanks to the assistance of GM Director of Design (and well-known model collector) Chuck Jordan. A new departure was a range of well-made 1:24 car kits with diecast bodies. Unfortunately these fell between two stools; plastic modellers had no idea how to build or paint metal kits, and metal kit builders disdained the plastic components. When re-tooled as all-plastic kits they became good sellers. 1980 saw enormous tooling expenditure, almost two million dollars on kits including the largest plastic aircraft (B-36), largest plastic truck (Peterbilt) and a two foot long Pontiac Turbo Trans Am, sailing ships, modern warships, trucks, NASCAR cars, modern warplanes, every area was covered.
In 1983 Gannon stepped down as President, but when Mattel found themselves in financial difficulties and put Monogram up for sale, all the potential buyers wanted Gannon as part of the deal. Arthur Spear then offered Gannon the chance to buy the firm himself for 12 million dollars. Gannon raised the cash and in April 1984 he bought Monogram, a stable and profitable company with hundreds of tools in its bank. In 1986, as he planned, Gannon sold the company on, to investment group Odyssey Partners of New York, who already had an option to purchase Revell, which had never been profitable, though it had the biggest sales. Odyssey sacked all the Revell staff and moved the assets to Monogram’s Des Plaines facility. The new name was Revell-Monogram (the latter company’s staff thought the names should be the other way round). Soon after selling Monogram, Gannon moved to St Louis and died there in 2005. Ownership of Revell-Monogram (including Revell Germany) went through a number of hands; in 1994 new owner Hallmark cards put the kit maker into its Binney & Smith subsidiary (the Crayola maker). In 2001 Revell-Monogram was sold to Alpha International of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, maker of Gearbox toys, who then sold it in 2004 to a new company, Revell Group, headed by Chicago-born John Long. The company now operates from a new plant in Northbrook, close to the old Morton Grove factory, but all manufacture is now in China.
Thomas Graham’s new book on Monogram includes full product listings, and there are very revealing chapters on box art and design, plus inside stories of how kits were developed. An engrossing insight into the scale model industry, it is highly recommended.
Monogram® Models by Thomas Graham. Published by Schiffer, USA, available in Europe from Bushwood Books Ltd, 6 Marksbury Avenue, Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4JF. 172 pages 212mm x 275mm, 308 photos, softbound. ISBN 0764324810. £24.95, p&p free in the UK plus £5.50 surface mail order elsewhere.
REVELL 50th ANNIVERSARY
By Hans-Georg SchmittRevell Germany are celebrating their 50th Anniversary. Revell was founded in California in 1943, Revell Inc started production of plastic toys and furniture for doll’s houses in Venice near Los Angeles. In 1947 founder Lewis H Glaser, decided to make plastic kits, which soon became popular.
In 1956, the new hobby crossed the Atlantic, when the German subsidiary, Revell Plastics GmbH, was founded in Bielefeld. A year later they relocated to a former cigar factory in nearby Bünde, where Revell is still based. Initially, only kits from the USA and Britain were sold in Germany and neighbouring countries. In early 1970s, the firm began to develop its own kits, the first a 1:8 BMW R75/5 motorcycle. From 1987, the German range was marketed by its North American affiliate Revell-Monogram. There have been various changes of ownership, most recently in 2003, when Revell AG became Revell Holding GmbH. For the 50th Anniversary, Revell have re-issued some early kits.
RETURN OF KENNA MODELS
All fans of high quality models will be pleased to know that Pete Kenna is back. In between making patterns for the Calif-ornian Motor City range and shuttling between his homes in England and Holland, (no time for playing guitar professionally these days) Pete has been making a few models from his sought-after 1:43 handbuilt range. The latest is the Allard K1 woodie estate, our competition prize this month. Most of his output has been sold on eBay direct to collectors in recent months, but he is now able to take orders for future releases and re-releases. He says, ‘I have six or seven unreleased patterns to go into future production, so I am busy, busy, busy’. We will publish details of these in future issues, but it may get some collectors interested if we reveal that some of the subjects to come are prewar British cars. Not every model listed here is available ‘off the shelf’, but this is the current range, most in a choice of colours:
Standard Vanguard Phase 1 Saloon Standard Vanguard Estate Standard Vanguard Van Dunlop Racing Team Standard Vanguard Pickup with tilt: livery TBA Standard Vanguard transporter 1950s Mike Anthony Racing Lotus 11 green or silver Standard Vanguard Phase 2 Saloon Standard Ambulance: Standard Motor Company Livery Standard Ambulance: Massey Ferguson Livery Triumph 12/50 + boot rack, open or closed sunroof Lotus Elan Hexagon Estate Elanbulance Austin A40 Tourer - with top up and top down options Austin Hereford Convertible - top up Austin Hereford Convertible - top down Austin Hereford Woodie estate Austin Hereford Saloon Austin Dorset Austin Devon with sun roof Austin Devon Estate Austin Devon Van Allard K1 (open two seat sports car) Allard K1 1949 Alpine Rally version Allard K2 Allard K1 Woodie estate car Daimler Straight Eight MG TF Austin J40 Pedal Car Austin Joy 1 Pedal Car Pathfinder Pedal CarLANSDOWNE & US MODEL MINT
Brooklin Models have announced the Lansdowne ‘Factory Special’ limited edition model for release in September-October. It is LDM35X the Hillman Avenger GLS 1971 in tangerine metallic with a black roof; 250 made, retail price £55.00. See centre pages. They have also announced new releases in the US Model Mint range; 27s Studebaker two axle tractor unit 1950 and 26s Fruehauf single axle trailer; in matching Studebaker livery, the tractor yellow and the trailer silver. These will only be built to order, as they will be fairly expensive. See page 37.
FORMULA MODELS NEWS
By John SimonsI have had some good news on the Formula Models front. Here is the latest progress from Colin. He says, ’I picked up the body for the Wheldon and now Sam Hornish’s car, so I am full steam ahead to get these out. I am trying hard to get an assortment of decals prepared for American Lolas and the Shadows. At the same time I want to fit in the Pennzoil 2001/02 Dallara, the Big Gulp Team green Dallara and obviously Michael’s Motorola versions. On the same sheet I will do Danica’s 2005 Indy decals, I can offer a kit to make Danica’s Indy version. This uses my decals, plus an additional US sheet. Finally I am trying to include the Aerosmith car.’ Colin is also doing a limited run of the Oldsmobile Aerotech.
MG ZA RALLY CARS
By Stephen RoffIn the 1:43 scale white metal K&R Replicas range, made in the UK, we now have the MG ZA available in both Monte Carlo and 1955 RAC Rally versions. The kits come complete with decals to produce all three works team cars, and cost £31.00 each.
AIRFIX IN ADMINISTRATION
Further to the news in MAR that the Airfix brand had been relaunched, it now appears that the Humbrol-Airfix-Plasticene set up is in difficulties. Airfix kits were made in France for the owners by the old Heller company, which itself is now in receivership, and which was thus unable to produce the stock needed by Airfix. At the time of going to press the French administrators were unwilling to release the moulding tools for the Airfix kits, leaving Airfix with nothing to sell, and British administrators have been appointed for the Humbrol and Airfix organisation, in the hope of finding a buyer.
LATEST MINICHAMPS NEWS
By Hans-Georg SchmittYet more Minichamps diecast releases, mostly not pictured in these pages:
1:18 scale 540 841899 Toleman Hart TG184 F1 with engine Senna 1984 109 144070 Deutz F2L 514 Tractor 1957 green 100 062121 Porsche 924 Coupe 1985 silver. 540 871812 Lotus Honda 99T Ayrton Senna 1987. 180 762007 BMW CSL 3.5 Turbo Gr5 Schnitzer Ring 76. Krebs. 1:43 scale 400 103422 Lamborghini Islero 2+2 1968 blue met ltd 1536. 430 032109 Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloon 1993 W202 silver 430 039209 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6,9 1974 W116 E 69 brown 400 039031 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster 1957 W198II white 400 171401 Volvo 240 GL saloon 1986 silver metallic ltd 2016. 400 060086 BMW Sauber F1 presentation 2006 Heidfeld. 400 060087 BMW Sauber F1 presentation Villeneuve.. 400 060082 Honda F1 presentation 2006 Button. 400 130401 Jaguar XJ12 Saloon 1975 silver metallic 430 750010 March Ford 751 F1 Spain 1975, Lella Lombardi. 400 062322 Porsche 968 CS 1993 grey metallic, ltd edn1344. 400 054211 Volkswagen Passat Variant 1975, yellow, litd 1008. 400 042392 BMW M3 GTR, BMW Motorsport. Spa 04. Mueller 400 042393 BMW M3 GTR, BMW Motorsport. Spa 04 Mollekens 400 050039 Jordan Toyota EJ15, F1 2005 Test driver Doornbos 400 648219 Lotus Cortina I, Alan Mann Brands 64. Whitmore 540 914391 McLaren MP4/6 F1 Ayrton Senna Germany 1991 400 051301 Audi R8 Team Champion Sebring 05 Lehto-Werner, 530 874302 McLaren TAG MP4/3 F1 1987 Stefan Johanson 400 039001 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing 1955 black 439 033280 Mercedes-Benz O317K city bus, ltd edition 3000. 400 056971 Porsche 911 GT3-RS LM05 Yamagishi-Pompidou 400 142264 American Hot Rod reissue in red, ltd edn of 1008 400 051302 Audi R8 Champion Sebring 05 Pirro-Biela- McNish 400 081422 Ford Taunus P5 Coupe 1964 gold metallic 430 033005 Mercedes-Benz 220 S Saloon 1956 grey. 540 874399 McLaren Honda MP4/3 Test car 1987 Ayrton Senna 530 064394 McLaren Mercedes MP4/20 F1 Test 06 de la Rosa 530 064395 McLaren Mercedes MP4/20 F1 Test 06, Paffett. 400 056981 Porsche 911 GT3-RS, T2M Motorsport. LM05 400 171411 Volvo 240GL estate 1986 red, limited edn 2016 400 050109 Williams Cosworth FW27C F1 Interim 05, Webber. 400 050110 Williams Cosworth FW27C. F1 Interim 05, Rosberg. 400 060079 Williams F1 2006 presentation Mark Webber. 400 060080 Williams F1 presentation 2006 Nico Rosberg. 400 130461 Jaguar XJ12 Coupe Series II 1975 red metallic 430 103009 Lamborghini Miura 1966, blue, limited edn 2496 400 056991 Porsche 911 GT3-RS, Team T2M, Spa 2005BORGWARDS FROM NOREV
By Hans-Georg SchmittIt was to everyone’s great surprise who attended the Nuremberg Toy Fair early in 2006, when Norev showed their first prototypes of a series of new 1:43 Borgward models . In 1954, the Borgward company presented their new Hansa 1500, which was quickly re-named Isabella. It is said that owner Carl F W Borgward chose the name. Its modern and attractive design, powerful engines, and good road-holding completed an ideal package for sales success. Even today the car is remembered as a classic. Norev have modelled the Isabella series in the 1958 facelifted version from 1958, identifiable from the small rhombus in the radiator grille and the different rear lights. All of the four main Isabella body variations are out at once. All of them have accurately shaped bodies with many separate inserted components, including the radiator grille, lights, door handles and much more. The interiors, each in a colour complementing the body colour, look beautiful. The dashboard and steering wheel are excellently detailed, even the piano-key style switches can be clearly seen. The windscreen frame of the cabriolet even has the sun visors fitted. The wheels and baseplate reproduce the original vehicle’s features accurately. The underside of the engine and gearbox, front wishbones, cardan shaft and differential, rear axle and exhaust system are all nicely executed. All four models are fitted with German registration plates. The models were checked and approved by the grandson of the founder of the company, Christian Borgward, who has put the wheels in motion to begin Borgward car production again.
Book Reviews
Hanomag-Personenwagen Von Hannover in die Welt. (Hanomag Cars From Hannover to the World) by Horst-Dieter Görg and Torsten Hamacher, German text. 160 pages, 248 photographs, 20 drawings. Hardcover. 215 x 305 mm. ISBN 3-933802-02-4. Published by and available from Mundschenk Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Harburger Strasse 63, 29614 Soltau, Germany
In 1924 Hanomag launched their first car, the type 2/10. Due to its box-like appearance, it was quickly nicknamed Kommissbrot (Quarter- master’s loaf; the standardised bread produced in the straitened days of Germany’s post war 1920s, with a small lump on top of a bigger loaf). The cars grew in size over the years, and then during the war Hanomag built military vehicles. After 1945, an attempted new beginning with the Partner was a failure. All the highs and lows are described and illustrated with interesting pictures, mostly previously unpublished. Hans-Georg Schmitt
Pulsschlag eines Werkes: 160 Jahre Hanomag (Pulse beat of a Plant: 160 Years of Hanomag) by Horst-Dieter Görg, German text, 224 pages, 319 photographs, 47 drawings. 215 x 305 mm. Hard bound. ISBN 3-00-002585-5. Published by and available from Mundschenk Druck und Verlagsgesellschaft mbH. Harburger Strasse 63; 29614 Soltau, Germany.
Hanomag has been in existence for more than 160 years. From the beginning in 1835 to the current Hanomag-Komatsu company has been a long and tortuous journey, told here with a lot of pictures, many of it previously unpublished, including steam engines, locomotives, trucks, passenger cars, tractors and construction machinery. Hans-Georg Schmitt
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Meisterstück auf Rädern: Geschichte Design Technik (S-Class: Masterpiece on Wheels, History Design Technique) by Christof Vieweg, German text. 182 pages, 176 photos, 39 drawings. Hardbound with dustjacket. 250 x 310mm. ISBN 3-7688-1802-0 / ISBN 978-3-7688-1802- 5. Published by and available from Delius Klasing Verlag, Siekerwall 21, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany.
The book describes the development, technology and features of the new S-class including the new night vision system and the sound system. The work of the design centre is explained and the background history of the model range is described, with loads of data and facts. Top quality exclusive photographs, on double pages and foldouts complete a stunning book. Hans-Georg Schmitt
Karmann Ghia: Der Volkswagen im Gala-Kleid. (Karmann-Ghia: The Beetle in a ball-gown) by Peter Kurze and Lutz Gaas, written in German. 112 pages, 223 photographs. 215 x 245 mm. Hardbound. ISBN 3-7688-1724-5 / ISBN 978-3-7688-1724-0. Published by and available from Delius Klasing Verlag, Siekerwall 21; 33602 Bielefeld, Germany.
It was an automobile to dream about, made in a period when dreaming had just been rediscovered. The first Karmann Ghia appeared on German roads, just when a lot of the citizenry had begun to think about buying a car for the first time. From 1955 bodies designed by Ghia in Italy had been built on to Volkswagen chassis at the Karmann plant in Osnabrück. It soon became a very desirable vehicle, a symbol of joie de vivre and sportiness with a little drop of luxury. This lovingly illustrated book is devoted to the most beautiful Volkswagen of the early years, in whose 20 years of production nearly 500,000 of them left the Karmann assembly line. Hans-Georg Schmitt
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod WardDanish Model Car Club (Dansk Modelbil-klub): John Toldsted, Chairman and long-time MAR contributor, says. ‘We have 75 to 80 members countrywide, and next year we celebrate our tenth anniversary. We also have a 40 page magazine, issued six times a year, we meet on the first Wednesday of each month with guest speakers and we participate in the Copenhagen Swapmeet four times a year. We visit swapmeets in Germany, Sweden and the NEC in Birmingham, and we visit Fire Brigades, Traffic Police centres, veteran car museums, local hobby shops, model car exhibitions, etc. We only collect 1:43 and 1:18 model vehicles, as we consider 1:87 to be model railway accessories. Visitors of all nationalities are always welcome at our meetings, as most of us speak foreign languages’. For more information contact John Toldsted, Bøgeparken 186, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, tel: 45 938206, email: toldsted@privat.dk.
South Hants Model Auto Club: The Club celebrated its 25th birthday on 5 August with a barbecue and a lovely cake. They generously sent a slice to MAR, and it was delicious! Thanks to all at the SHMAC for this gesture. This Club is still among the most active, with monthly clubnight displays and club stands at shows and exhibitions in the local area. This helps to stimulate interest among the general public, especially transport enthusiasts, and can only be of benefit to the club membership as well. If you’d like to participate, club Secretary Dave Painter can give you more information; phone him on 01264 366408.
International Plastic Modellers Society: We don’t often hear from the IPMS these days, but I have been contacted by Wakefield and District Branch secretary Karl Grubb, who says, ‘We are on a drive to recruit members; we meet at Netherton WMC, Netherton Lane, Netherton, Wakefield WF4 4HQ on the second Friday of every month at 7.30pm; phone 01924 820264, email karldouglasgrubb@hotmail.co.uk visit http://groups.msn.com/ipmswakefield
Wessex Model and Toy Collectors: If you didn’t join the WMTC by 15 August you have missed your chance to buy the WMTC Club Model for this year, the Lansdowne 1957 Humber Hawk estate in cavalry beige and burgundy. If you want to be able to get next year’s special model, get your application in now, while you remember. The WMTC newsletter, Smalltalk, edited by the Barry Lloyd has the usual mix of entertainment and information. Barry has found an insurance company specialising in insuring collections, but I won’t reveal the name of the firm here, as it might be construed as recommending them, and I know nothing about them. A report on a visit to the filming of Top Gear at Dunsfold airfield near Guildford reveals that ‘The Stig’ is supposedly touring car racer Neil Harvey, If you’d like to know more about the WMTC, contact membership secretary Doug Male on 01225 755043.
West Australian Model Collectors Club: Ian Hind, Club Secretary and Editor of Showcase, the WAMCC Club publication, continues to pack his pages with interesting news. He comments on Ixo’s unusual triangular screws fixing models to bases, as also noted in MAR by Maz Woolley. Ian notes that these were apparently introduced to comply with new European laws to prevent children unscrewing screws and swallowing them (funny that everybody else still uses conventional screws). Ixo have now begun to sell a special screwdriver at 99p in the UK, free if you buy two or more models. But you’d better not leave the new screwdriver lying around, in case the kiddies get their hands on it and increase their screw consumption. Ridiculous. Ian also mentions the Autodromo range of eight retro-style white metal models of Ferrari and Maserati monoposto racers, retailing at a stiff £50 each for a simple toy-like 1950s style product, though it is fully licensed by Ferrari. There is lots more like this in Showcase, but to read it you’ll have to join the WAMCC; phone 934 9369, or email jhind@iinet.net.au
Maidenhead Static Model Club Les Duplock notes in Wheel Bearings, the MSMC journal, that his long-time friend and assistant at Model Road and Rail, Alf Costen, died in July. Les is too modest to mention, however, that since the onset of the grave illness of Frank Hastings, Les and his wife have virtually ‘adopted’ Frank and are constantly caring for him. If you would like to join the caring, sharing MSMC, contact Membership Secretary Alan Simpson on 01494 813903.
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